VP Mpango calls for affirmative action to conserve environment
ZANZIBAR: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has said concerted efforts must be made to address environmental degradation to mitigate the effects of climate change which have significant negative impact on the economy.
Dr Mpango made the call on Friday during a treep lanting event at the Karume Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Unguja, Zanzibar to promote environmental awareness.
According to the VP, as environmental issues impact all significant socioeconomic sectors, “it is everyone’s duty in Tanzania to support initiatives aimed at preserving the environment.” He further urged the public to refrain from irresponsible cutting down trees to protect water sources, and to quit sand mining in unauthorised areas, the practices that further degrade environment.
In line with that, Dr Mpango directed all ministries and institutions to make sure they plant trees in their respective areas. He stated that in order to ensure that trees are planted in response to the effects of climate change, cooperation amongst all Tanzanians is required.
Additionally, he underlined how critical it is for youth, particularly those pursuing higher education, to plant and maintain trees in campus neighbourhoods and around their residential areas.
Furthermore, the VP said the Union and Zanzibar governments have kept up their efforts to educate the public, make plans, and enhance environmental laws and policies.
He also encouraged the public to participate in preserving and protecting the environment from harmful human activities.
He has also instructed the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Union and Environment Dr Seleman Jafo to cooperate with his counterpart from Zanzibar government in implementing and achieving the Green Legacy environmental initiative, an action plan to reforest and afforest key areas in the nation.
The Vice-President also urged the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar to make sure that it improves the knowledge and skill-sharing partnership between KIST and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT).
On her part, the Isles State Minister, First VicePresident’s Office (responsible for environment protection), Ms Harusi Said Suleiman said that Zanzibar is committed to reviving its greenery through targeted tree planting initiatives.
Last year, Zanzibar launched its afforestation campaign dubbed ‘Make the islands green again’ along with promoting environment and marine conservation as among the country’s climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Ms Suleiman called on her fellow minister to be in the forefront in making the campaign successful.
Her announcement comes after the First VicePresident Othman Masoud Othman met, on different occasions, with different executives at council and ministerial levels to share the worrying decrease of trees and forests, and environmental degradation.
